Means for flowing wells



Jan. 30, 1940.

' F. A. THAHELD MEANS FOR FLOWING WELLS Filed March 80, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feri A. Thahelq 5 125 MOMMA;-

Jam 30, 1940. F. A. THAHELD MEANS FOR FLOWING WELLS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 30, 1936 v YWM'IM fic' j I 3 Fen A. Thaheld,

Patented Jan. 30, 1940 DIEANS FOB FLOWING WELLS Feri A. Thaheld, Dallas, Tex., assignor to The Guiberson Corporation, Dallas, Tex., .a, corpo-.

ration of Delaware Application March so, 1936, Serial No. 71,669

11 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in means for flowing wells.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved flow device which is particularly adapted for use in lifting well fluids to the surface.

An important object of the'invention is to pro-' vide an improved well flow device wherein the well fluid is metered and controlled in accordance with the pressure of the lifting fluid, whereby said well liquid may be lifted to the surface by a comparatively low pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved flow device having a piston exposed to I the pressure of the lifting fluid for controlling the inlet of said fluid into the well tubing, said piston also controlling the inlet of the well liquid into the tubing, whereby the building up of a static head of liquid within the tubing above the flow device is prevented. I

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved flow device arranged to be lowered to the bottom of the well casing which is so constructed that .the liquid will be raised in the well tubing as soon as the lifting fluid is injected.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved system of flowing wells having casing and tubing therein which consists in, packing off the space between the well tubing and casing, introducing a lifting pressure fluid into the casing 80 above the packer, controlling the inlet of the well liquid to the tubing in accordance with the pressure of the lifting fluid, introducing the lifting fluid into the tubing after a column of well liquid has been built up therein, and simultaneously cut- 88 ting off the flow of both well liquid and lifting fluid to the tubing when the pressure of the lift ing fluid drops to a predetermined point.

A construction designed to carry out the fiivention will be hereinafter described, together with 40' other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and 45 wherein: Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section showing a flow device positioned within a well casing, Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse, vertical sec- 50 tional view of the flow device, and showing the control piston in its lowered, or shut-ofl' position,

Figure 3 is a view, similar to Figure 2 with the piston raised,

1 Figure 4 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, utakenonthelinel-lofiigurea, 7

Figure 5 is'a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2, and

Figure 7 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, 5 taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 2.

In the drawings, the numeral l0 designates an elongate, tubular body which has its upper end threaded at H, whereby the usual coupling collar I 2 may be screwed-thereon. The upper end of 10 the collar receives the lower end of the well tubing A and it is preferable that the body have the same diameter as the well tubing. However, this is not essential as said diameter may be less or greater, as desired. The lower end of the body 15 is threaded to receive a collar 13 which is screwed thereon.

A suitable packing assembly [4 is mounted on the body at the lower end thereof. The packing assembly may be of any suitable type but I prefer 20 V end of the cone and surrounds the body. The 25. packing element is held in contact with the upper end of the cone by an annular flange or cap I 8 which engages the upper end of said packing element, and which is preferably made integral with the body lll.

Suitable gripping slips I 9 are slidable vertically on the cone is and it is obvious that when they are in their upper position (Figure 2) said slips will engage the casing wall. Each slip is carried by a spring member 20 which has its lower end 85 secured to the lower end of a cage 2| which is slidable on the body beneath the cone. The lower end of the cage is provided with a book 22 which is arranged to engage a pin 23 extending radially from the body, whereby the case may be locked to said body so as to move therewith. Suitable friction springs 24 have their upper ends fastened to the upper end of the cage 2|, while their lower ends are secured to a collar 25 slidable on the body above the collar l3 at the lower end thereof. when the book 22 of the cage is engaged with the pin 23 on the body, whereby the body and sleeve move as a unit, it will be obvious that the slips l9 carried by the members 20 which are secured to the cage will be in their lowered position on the I cone' it. Thus, in this position, saidslips are disengaged or out of contact with the casing wall. The packing element I1 is setin the usual way. The body is lowered into the well casing B with the hooks 22 of the case 611838 8 the pin 23 on do the body, whereby the slips are held in their lowered position on the cone during the lowering operation. At such time the packing element is in its normal position which is disengaged from the casing wall. When the body has been lowered to the bottom of the well casing, and it is desired to set the packing element ll, it is only necessary to rotate said body so that the pin 23 disengages the hook 22 of the cage. The body- In is then moved downwardly a short distance, and the friction springs 24 serve to hold the cage and gripping slips I9 stationary, whereby the body It may move downwardly through the cage. As this occurs, the gripping slips l3 will ride up the in clined sides of the cone l3 and will move into engagement with the casing wall to prevent further downward movement of said cone. Continued movement of the body will cause the annular flange or cap l8 to distort the packing element i! into engagement with the wall of the well casing B, whereby the space between the body and the casing is packed 01f.

A transverse spider 26 extends across the lower end of the body l0 and is provided with an exial solid hub 21. A metering pin 28 extends upwardly from the upper end of the hub and is preferably made integral therewith. The base of the pin has a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the hub whereby an annular shoulder or seat 29 is formed around said pin.

' An elongate tubular piston rod 30 has its lower end engaging over the metering pin 28 and is movable vertically within the body Ill. The upper end of the piston rod extends through a transverse guide member or plate 3| which is disposed across the interior of the body Ill. The extreme upper end of said rod is connected with a vertically movable piston 32 which has a sliding flt within the body I0. The piston is normally held in its lower position with the lower end of the piston rod 30 resting on the seat, by a coil spring 33. This spring has its lower end resting on the upper end of the piston, while its upper end engages beneath an annular shoulder or ring 34 which is formed on the inner periphery of the body It.

With such arrangement, it is obvious that the spring 33 will normally hold the piston in its lowered position so that the lower end of the piston rod 30 engages the annular seat 29 and prevents any flow of well liquid upwardly through the piston rod and piston and into the tubing A thereabove. Between the upper end of the packing element l1 and the underside of the piston 32, a radial port 35 is provided in the wall of the body l0, whereby a communication is established between the casing B and the interior of the body l0.

When the device or assembly is lowered into the well'casing B to the lower end thereof, the packer assembly is set by rotating the body l3 so that the pin 23 on the body disengages the hook 22 of the cage 2|. This permits the slips ii! to engage the casing wall and prevent further lowering of the cone IS. The weight of the body Ill and the tubing A will then distort the packing element I'l, whereby the space between the casing and the body is packed off (Figure 2). Air, gas, or other lifting fluid is then introduced into the casing through the casing head 0 at the upper end therdof, through an inlet pipe 36. The

' lifting fluid' will pass.=downwardly between the casing and tubing and will finally enter the radial ports 35 in the wall of the-body ill above the packing element l'l.".--.The pressure of this lifting fluid entering the body It below the piston 32 will raise said piston upwardly against the pressure of the coil spring 33. As the piston 32 begins to move upwardly, the lower end of the piston rod 30 will ride upwardly with relation to the metering pin 28 whereby a flow of well liquid will pass upwardly through the tubular pass 3? is provided. This by-pass is located on the exterior wall of the body Ill and, as is clearly shown in Figure 2, is disposed opposite the coil spring 33 when the piston is in a lowered position.

The by-pass includes a semi-circular casing 38 which forms a passage between a pair of ports or openings 39 and 40 which are formed in the body Ill. By observing Figure 2, it will be seen that these ports are located above the piston 32 when the latter is in its lowered position.

After the lifting, fluid which is within the casing B has entered the ports 35 and the piston 32 begins to move upwardly, it will be seen that the well liquid is permitted to flow into the tubing, as has been explained. Continued upward movement of the piston 32 against the pressure of the spring 33, will cause said piston to move upwardly past the lower opening 39 of the bypass, asis shown in Figure 3. By the time the piston has moved to this position, sufllcient well liquid has entered the tubing A. As soon as the opening 39 is uncovered the lifting fluid from the well casing then passes through the opening 33 into the casing 38 of the by-pass. From this casing this lifting fluid flows through the opening 40 and into the body l0 above the piston. This lifting fluid then serves to aerate the column of well liquid which has entered the tubing above the piston, whereby this column of fluid is lifted to the surface. As soon as the lifting fluid is cut off after the column has been lifted, the pressure of said fluid-within the well casing will immediately decrease. This will permit the coil spring 33 to immediately return the piston to its lowermost position, thereby cutting off the lifting fluid entering the well tubing, as well as causing the piston rod 30 to engage the seat 29 to shut off the flow of the well liquid.

From the above it will be seen that whenever the lifting fluid in the well casing is shut off, the flow of well liquid into the tubing is also automatically shut off. This prevents the building up of a static head of well liquid above the piston and, therefore, a very low pressure of lifting fluid, may be utilized in raising a column of well liquid. The metering pin 28 is curved so that at the beginning of the piston movement the'flow of well liquid is slight. After the pressure of the lifting fluid within the well casing has built .up-

sufficiently to raise the piston past the lower opening 39 of the by-pass, the lower end of the piston rod has moved above the metering pin 28 (Figure 3), whereby the flow'of the well liquid is unobstructed. Thus, it will be seen that the verse partition 3| and thus, said piston is not subjected to the abrasive action of the flowing well liquid. I 'Ihe packing assembly l4, which has been shoWm/is one which may be purchased on the open market, and it is obvious that the in-' ventio is not to be limited to this particular type 0 packing assembly as any type suitable for the purpose may be employed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: r

1. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a support adapted to be connected with the well tubing and forming a continuation thereof, means for packing off the space between the well mjtubing and well casing, means for introducin a lifting fluid into the well casing'above the packing means, the support having an admission port and a bypass for establishing communication between the interior of the casing and the tubing, movable means including a piston within the support for controlling the flow of lifting fluid through the bypass to the tubing, said admission port being located below the piston and a valve seat at the lower end of the'support ooacting with the movable means whereby said means also controls the flow of well liquid fromthe bottom of the hole into the tubing.

2. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a tubular body adaptedto be connected with the well tubing and lowered into the well casing, means on the body for packing off between said body and casing, means for introducing lifting pressure fluid into the well casing, said body having an opening above the packing means whereby the lifting fluid may enter therein, movable means within the body and actuated by the pressure fluid in the casing for controlling the admittance of lifting fluid into the tubing, and a valve seat at the lower end of the body co-acting with the movable means, whereby said means also controls the flow of well liquid from the bottom of the hole into the well tubing.

3. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a tubular body adapted to be connected with 5 the well tubing and lowered into the well casing,

means on the body for packing off between said body and casing, means for introducing lifting.

pressure fluid into the well casing, said body having an opening above the packing means whereby'the lifting fluid may enter therein, movable means within the body andactuated by the pressure fluid in the casing for controlling the admittance of lifting fluid into the tubing, a

valve seat at the lower end of the body co-acting with the movable means, whereby said means also controls the flow of-well liquid from the bottom of the hole into the well tubing, and resilient means for resisting the movement of said movable means until a predetermined pressure of 0 the lifting fluid is reached.

4. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a support adapted tobe connected with a well tubing, means for packing on the space between the well tubing and well casing, means 05 for introducing a lifting fluid into the well casing above the packing means, the support having an admission port for establishing'communication between the interior of the casing and the tubing, a movable piston within the support and actuated 7 by the pressure of the lifting fluid in the well casing for controlling the flow through the port to the tubing, and a liquid control valve actuated by the movable piston whereby the flow of well liquid from the bottom of the hole into.

7 the tubing is controlled.

5. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a tubular body adapted to be connected with the well tubing and lowered into the well casing, means on the body for packing off be-. tween said body and casing, means for introduc- 5 ing lifting pressure fluid into the well casing,

' said body having an opening above the packing means whereby the lifting fluid may enter therein, a movable piston within the support and actuated by the pressure of the lifting fluid in the 10.

well casing for controlling the flow through the opening to the tubing, and a liquid control valve actuated by the movable piston whereby the flow of well liquid from the bottom of the hole into the tubing is controlled. 15

6. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a support adapted to be connected with a well tubing, means for packing off the space between the well tubing and well casing, means for introducing a lifting fluid into the well casing 20 above the packing means, the support having an admission port for establishing communication between the interior of the casing and the tubing,

a movable piston within the support and actuated by the pressure of the lifting fluid in the well 25 casing for controlling the flow through the port to the tubing, a liquid control valve actuated by the movable piston whereby the flow of well liquid from the bottom of the hole into the tubing is controlled, and resilient means for resisting the movement of said movable means until .a predetermined pressure of the lifting fluid is had.

7. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a tubular body adapted to be connected with 35 the Well tubing and lowered into the well casing,

. means on the body for packing off between said is controlled, and resilient means for resisting the movement of said movable means until a predetermined pressure of the lifting fluid is had. 50

8. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a tubular body adapted to be connected with the well tubing and lowered into the well casing, means on the body for packing off between said body and easing, means for introducing lifting pressure fluid into the well casing, said body having-an opening. above the packing means whereby the lifting fluid may enter therein, a movable piston within the body and actuated by the pressure fluid for controlling the admittance of lifting fluid into the tubing, 9. liquid control valve actuated by the piston for controlling the flow of well liquid from the bottom of the hole into the well tubing, and a coiled spring for resisting the actuation of the piston until a predetermined pressure ofthe. lifting fluid is reached, said spring also. serving as a means to ing, a support adapted to be connected with the well tubing, means for packing o3 the space be- 7 tween the well tubing and easing, means for introducing a lifting fluid into the well casing.

above the packing means, a movable piston within the support and actuated by the pressure of the lifting fluid for controlling the admittance of lifting fluid into the well tubing, a liquid valve actuated by the piston for controlling the flow of the well liquid from the bottom of the hole into the tubing, and a coiled spring for resisting the 10 actuation of the piston until a predetermined pressure of the lifting fluid is reached, said spring also serving as a means to simultaneously operate the liquid control valve to out OK the flow of well liquid and to move said piston to cut ofl 15 the admission of lifting fluid to the well tubing when the pressure of thelifting fluid decreases.

10. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a support adapted to be connected with awell tubing, means for packing off the space he- 0 tween the well tubing and well casing, means for introducing a lifting fluid into the well casing above the packing means, the support having an admission port for establishing communication between the interior of the casing and the 25 tubing, a spring controlled movable means within the support for controlling the flow of lifting fluid through the port to the tubing, a valve seat at the lower end of the support co-acting with the movable means whereby said means also controls the flow of well liquid from thebottom of the hole into the tubing, and means for metering the flow of well liquid through the valve.

11. In'combination with a well tubing and casing, a tubular body adapted to be connected with the well tubing and lowered into the well casing, means onthe body for packing off between-said body and casing, means for introducing lifting ,pressure fluid into the well casing, said body having an opening above the packing means whereby the lifting fluid may enter therein, movable means within the body and actuated by the pres- FERIATHAHELD. 2! 

